Throwing a bash, big or small, this holiday season? Ring in 2014 with
your closest chicas or a crazy crew of kids from class and the neighborhood. No
matter the type of party you’re throwing, you’ve gotta start at the same place:
with the invites!

Keep the mix in mind

Remember, the big night isn’t just about you and the people you want to
hang out with—the girls and guys need to get along with each other, too. If you’re
sticking to one social circle, try to invite everyone in the group. If mom is
limiting your invites, see if you can make a compromise—perhaps a big brunch
party in the a.m. with a smaller sleepover the night before? And when it comes
to picking and choosing from different circles, make sure everyone has at least
one person they’d be comfortable hanging with all night long. No one wants to
be the wallflower, after all!

Get the basics down

Talk with Mom and Dad about how many people you are allowed to invite,
where and when you can throw your party and what the ground rules are going to
be. Can you have guys over, too? What’s your party budget? What room can you
hang in? Now’s the time to set your theme, too.

Send out the invites

Receiving invitations in the mail or even at your locker or desk is a
fun thing, but let’s face it: evites are cheaper and expedite the process.
Bonus? They let your guests see who else has been invited and who is planning
the come or, uh, not. Our favorite invite sites include paperlesspost.com and postmark.com.
(Love the invite above? Get
it here!)

Are you throwing a party this
holiday season? What theme are you thinking about? Tell us in the comments!